Gotta See It: Drew Commesso And The Blocker Hand Save

Everyone who saw it whether on video or in person knew it hurt. Drew Commesso included. But the 21-year-old Blackhawks prospect decided to make the save with the blocker hand like it was a game of mini-sticks in the basement–and it worked.

Stauber is in net for Commesso after this insane save🤯 pic.twitter.com/1rdVlC2u3H

— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) March 30, 2024

Without the stick but still with the blocker, Commesso opted for the the opposite side of the blocker and kept the puck out of the net in the process. But like that puck, Commesso would stay out of the net for the remainder of the game.

Today, the IceHogs released a statement that Commesso is day-to-day with a right hand injury–which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who watched. As a result, they called Mitchell Weeks back up from the Indy Fuel.

Drew Commesso Has Been Stellar As the Season Has Gone On

It was expected that he would have an adjustment period, but the consistency he showed in college has maintained itself with the IceHogs. Commesso has a .902 save percentage and has only dipped below that mark twice in his last ten games. Prior to being pulled last night, he’d surrendered just one on 13 shots, which included the dazzling save that helped preserve Rockford’s 3-1 win over a Milwaukee that team that is one of the AHL’s best teams.

In those last ten games, Commesso sports a .915 save percentage which includes three games with 30 or more saves. In the previous ten appearances, Commesso didn’t have a single game with 30 or more saves.

The IceHogs are 12-3 in their last 15 games, enjoying strong performances from the likes of Cole Guttman, Commesso, and several other young players who are making a case for long playoff run.

The longer the playoff run–the more experience the young prospects receive as they prepare themselves to make the jump to Chicago. The Blackhawks certainly have Drew Commesso in their long term plans, and his performance helps that case.

But he might want to leave the barehanded saves for mini sticks games.